Method for forming a protective case for a musical instrument

ABSTRACT

A protective case for a musical instrument such as the violin or viola which is of the soft fabric material and which can be placed within a conventional harder musical case. A method of manufacturing such a case wherein first and second layers of fabric are placed in registry and sewed together, and subsequently inverted to form a first section, third and fourth layers of fabric are also placed in registry with the first section being intermediate thereof, the first section and third and fourth layers being sewed and subsequently inverted.

[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/226,401 filed Jan. 6, 1999.

[0002] The present invention relates to a protective case and moreparticularly, relates to a protective case for musical instruments suchas a violin, viola, cello, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are many types of protective cases known in the art forprotecting musical instruments. Generally, these cases comprise an outershell which is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material and having alined interior into which the instrument is placed. The principle behindthe construction of such cases is that the shell will protect theinstrument from most minor knocks and the like while the inner liningwill provide protection against scratching.

[0004] It is also known in the art, to provide cases which can include awrapper to encase the musical instrument. However, again the protectionis not obtained.

[0005] While such cases do perform the required function, it needs to beremembered that fine musical instruments such as violins, violas andcellos are made of selected woods which need to be protected fromtemperature extremes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a softinsulation case cover which is designed to be placed within aconventional harder musical instrument case to help protect theinstrument and keep a more even temperature.

[0007] To the best of Applicant's knowledge, the only soft case coverwhich presently exists which could possibly be utilized for insertioninto a rigid case is a cover of a rectangular shape having a drawstringat the top—i.e. an arrangement which resembles that of a general purposesack.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide asoft insulation case cover suitable for a violin or a viola and whichmay be utilized in conjunction with a hard case to protect theinstrument from damage and from temperature extremes.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for the manufacture of a soft protective case for amusical instrument, the method comprising the steps of:

[0010] a) placing a first layer and a second layer of fabricsubstantially in registry, each of the layers having first and secondside marginal edges and first and second end marginal edges, the firstand second layers having respective first faces in a face to facerelationship;

[0011] b) securing together the first and second layers proximate thefirst end marginal edges;

[0012] c) inverting the first and second layers such that the firstfaces face outwardly, the first and second layers thereby forming afirst section;

[0013] d) placing third and fourth layers of a fabric substantially inregistry, each of the third and fourth layers having first and secondside marginal edges and first and second end marginal edges and withfirst faces facing one another;

[0014] e) placing the first section intermediate the third and fourthlayers with the first end marginal edges of all the layers beingsubstantially in registry;

[0015] f) securing together the first and second side marginal edges andthe first end marginal edges of each of the first, second, third andfourth layers and the second end marginal edges of the first and fourthlayers while leaving a relatively small unsecured portion along one ofthe marginal edges;

[0016] g) inverting the product from step (f); and

[0017] h) securing together the unsecured portion.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a protective case which comprises an upper section having anupper section first layer and an upper section second layer of a fabric,a first insulation layer between the upper section first layer and theupper section second layer, a lower section having a lower section firstlayer and a lower section second layer of a fabric, a second insulationlayer intermediate the lower section first layer and the lower sectionsecond layer, the upper section and lower section being joined at sidemarginal edges thereof.

[0019] The soft protective case of the present invention may be utilizedalone or in conjunction with a traditional hard case. It is specificallydesigned to cushion the instrument to protect the instrument from blowsand also to insulate the instrument from temperature extremes.

[0020] The protective case of the present invention may be used with anyinstrument and would be sized accordingly. In particular, in thepreferred embodiments, it is designed for stringed instruments such asviolins, violas, cellos, etc.

[0021] The layers of the fabric forming the protective case may be anysuitable and many such materials are known to those knowledgeable in theart. Such materials can include silks, polyesters, etc. The cushioningmaterial likewise may be selected from those well known in the art andcan include various quilted materials.

[0022] The means for attaching the various layers together, in thepreferred embodiment, is by means of sewing. However, other attachmentmeans may likewise be employed either alone or in conjunction with thesewing. In particular, one or more portions may utilize the hook andloop type fasteners such as those marketed under the trademark Velcro.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, one end of the protectivecase remains open for insertion of the instrument. Naturally, this willbe the larger end. However, in certain embodiments, the other end may beleft at least partially open to permit the passage of the neck of theinstrument therethrough when it is desired to have the case only aboutthe main body portion of the instrument.

[0024] In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the protectivecase is utilized in conjunction with a rigid case. The rigid case may beany suitable such as is known in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Embodiments of the cover according to the present invention areillustrated in the drawings, in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a portion of a cover according toone embodiment of the invention;

[0027]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the complete cover of FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 3 is an exploded view similar to FIG. 1 of a furtherembodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the complete cover of FIG. 3;

[0030]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of a cover according to afurther embodiment of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the complete cover of FIG. 5; and

[0032]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a cover according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by referencecharacters thereto, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a firstembodiment of a soft insulated case cover and which is generallydesignated by reference numeral 10.

[0034] Case cover 10 includes a first section shown in FIG. 1 andgenerally designated by reference numeral 12. First section 12 includesa first fabric layer 14 which has a first face 16 and an opposed secondface 18. First layer 14 has a first side marginal edge 20, an opposedsecond side marginal edge 22, a first end marginal edge 24 and a secondend marginal edge 26.

[0035] A second layer 28 is located adjacent first layer 14 and having afirst face 30 lying in a facing relationship with first face 16 of firstlayer 14. On the other side of second layer 28, there is a second face32. Second layer 28 has a first side marginal edge 34, a second sidemarginal edge 36, a first end marginal edge 38 and a second end marginaledge 40.

[0036] In the exploded view of FIG. 1, there is illustrated a firstinsulation layer 42 which has a first side marginal edge 44, an opposedsecond side marginal edge 46, a first end marginal edge 48 and a secondend marginal edge 50.

[0037] First layer 14, second layer 28 and first insulation layer 42 areof substantially identical dimensions and are arranged to besubstantially in registry with one another. In this arrangement, thelayers are secured together proximate first end marginal edges 24, 38and 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the three layers are stitchedtogether from point A to point B. Subsequently, the first section 12 isinverted such that second face 18 of first layer 14 and second face 32of second layer 28 lie in a facing relationship with first insulationlayer 42 therebetween.

[0038] The protective case 10 is then assembled in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 2. In this arrangement, there is provided a thirdfabric layer 52 having a first face 54 and an opposed second face 56along with a first side marginal edge 58, a second side marginal edge60, a first end marginal edge 62 and a second end marginal edge 64.

[0039] There is also provided a fourth layer 66 having a first planarface 68, a second face 70, a first side marginal edge 72, a second sidemarginal edge 74, a first end marginal edge 76 and a second end marginaledge 78. Placed between face 68 of fourth layer 66 and first face 54 ofthird layer 52 is first section 12. A second insulation layer 80 issupplied adjacent to face 56 of third layer 52. Second insulation layer80 has a first side marginal edge 82, a second side marginal edge 84, afirst end marginal edge 86 and a second end marginal edge 88.

[0040] The protective case is then assembled by stitching together thedifferent layers by stitching from point C to point D. In this respect,all of first side marginal edges 20, 34, 44, 58, 72 and 82 are securedtogether except for a small space therebetween. In a similar fashion,the second end marginal edges and the second side marginal edges aresecured together. At the first end, end marginal edges 62, 76 and 86 aresecured together.

[0041] Subsequently, the assembled case is then inverted by reachingthrough the opening D-C such that the assembled case will then havefirst section 12 forming one portion of the protective cover and thecombination of third layer 52 and fourth layer 66 forming the othersection of the cover. Second insulation layer 80 lies between thirdlayer 52 and fourth layer 66. In this arrangement, it will be noted thatthe “first faces” form the outwardly formed faces of each of thelayers—they lie adjacent to the instrument and to the exterior.

[0042]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a slightly modified version whereinsimilar reference numerals in the 100's are used for similar componentsand first insulation layer 142 is sized to be slightly smaller which issuitable for certain instruments. Otherwise, similar components areutilized.

[0043] In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numerals in the200's are used for an arrangement wherein both first insulation layer242 and second insulation layer 280 are sized to be smaller than theircorresponding layers within which they are enclosed.

[0044]FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment wherein both of the first andsecond ends are left open to accommodate an instrument wherein the neckmay slide through the second end of the case. Thus, arrow 92 illustratesan open first end and arrow 94 an open second end.

[0045] It will be understood that the above described embodiments arefor purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications maybe made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A protective case for a musical instrument, the protectivecase comprising an upper section and a lower section, said upper sectionhaving an upper section first layer and an upper section second layer ofa flexible fabric, a first insulation layer intermediate said uppersection first layer and said upper section second layer, a lower sectionhaving a lower section first layer and a lower section second layer of aflexible fabric, a second insulation layer between said lower sectionfirst layer and said lower section second layer, said upper section andlower section being secured around side marginal edges thereof whilehaving an opening therebetween at one end.
 2. The protective case ofclaim 1 wherein said case has a large and a smaller end, said larger endhaving a greater width than said smaller end.
 3. The protective case ofclaim 2 wherein said second insulation layer extends only through saidlarge end.
 4. The protective case of claim 3 wherein said opening islocated at said large end.
 5. In combination, an assembly for protectinga musical instrument, said assembly comprising a rigid case and the softprotective case of claim 1.